India vs Pakistan T20 World Cup : India is gearing up for challenging batting conditions as they prepare to face Pakistan on Sunday. This preparation follows India’s recent eight-wicket victory over Ireland on a difficult surface in New York, where they dismissed the Irish team for a mere 96 runs.
“We’re not sure what to expect from the pitch, but we will prepare as if the conditions are going to be similar,” said Indian skipper Rohit Sharma after the match. The team’s performance against Ireland highlighted the tricky nature of the surface, which is expected to be pace-friendly.
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In anticipation of such conditions, India opted for a bowling-heavy lineup against Ireland, including three fast bowlers, Hardik Pandya, and two spin all-rounders—Ravindra Jadeja and Axar Patel. Kuldeep Yadav was left out to strengthen the batting lineup, adapting to the pace-favorable conditions seen in previous matches played in New York.
“I don’t think we can play four spinners here,” Rohit remarked, despite having previously emphasized India’s spin strength. “When we picked the team, we wanted to have that balance. If conditions are there for the seamers, we wanted to have that. As we head into the later part of the tournament, spin will play a part later on.
“Looking at the pitch and conditions, we are open to making changes and doing what is required at that point, but today was a four-seamer pitch and we still managed to get two spinners who are all-rounders. It gives us balance heading into the game. The Pakistan game is going to be a kind of game where all XI of us need to contribute.”
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Rohit Sharma scored a half-century in India’s chase against Ireland but had to retire hurt after being hit on the arm by a short delivery from Josh Little. Commenting on the pitch conditions, former England coach Andy Flower described the New York pitch as “bordering on dangerous” during ESPNcricinfo’s Timeout show.
Jasprit Bumrah, who was named Player of the Match for his exceptional performance, taking 2 for 6 off three overs, expressed his delight in playing his first T20 World Cup match since 2021. Having missed the 2022 tournament in Australia due to a back injury, Bumrah found the conditions in New York favorable.
“Coming from India, when you see the ball seaming and doing quite a bit, with good bounce and pace, you’d never complain when there’s help for the bowlers,” Bumrah said. “You have to be proactive in this format; you can’t pre-empt things. You have to adapt to conditions. We played a practice game here [against Bangladesh], realized how the wicket is. We realized the new ball will do a lot, so I was just trying to stick to what is working for you.
“[As a bowler] you want to cover all bases. Once the seam [movement] goes down, the wicket settles down. Yes, there was uneven bounce, but you have to be prepared to bowl in all conditions and I’m very happy with the outing.”
India’s preparation for the match against Pakistan underscores the importance of adaptability and readiness in cricket. With the New York pitch expected to challenge both batters and bowlers, the upcoming clash promises to be an exciting and unpredictable encounter. As both teams prepare for the high-stakes match, the focus will be on exploiting the pitch conditions to gain an advantage in this eagerly awaited contest.
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FAQs about India Preparing for Tough Batting Conditions Against Pakistan
1. What are the current conditions of the pitch in New York?
- The pitch in New York is pace-friendly and has made batting conditions difficult, with uneven bounce and significant seam movement.
2. Why did Rohit Sharma retire hurt during the match against Ireland?
- Rohit Sharma retired hurt after getting hit on the arm by a short ball from Josh Little during the match against Ireland.
3. How did India perform against Ireland in New York?
- India defeated Ireland by eight wickets, dismissing them for 96 runs on a challenging surface.
4. Who was the Player of the Match against Ireland?
- Jasprit Bumrah was named Player of the Match for his outstanding bowling performance, taking 2 for 6 off three overs.
5. How is India preparing for the match against Pakistan?
- India is preparing for tough batting conditions by focusing on balance in their lineup, selecting appropriate bowlers, and adapting to the pitch conditions.
6. What changes did India make to their lineup against Ireland?
- India picked three fast bowlers, Hardik Pandya, and two spin all-rounders (Ravindra Jadeja and Axar Patel) to strengthen their batting against Ireland.
7. Why was Kuldeep Yadav left out of the match against Ireland?
- Kuldeep Yadav was left out to include additional seamers, considering the pace-friendly conditions in New York.
8. What did Rohit Sharma say about the pitch conditions?
- Rohit Sharma said they are not sure what to expect from the pitch but will prepare as if the conditions will be similar to the challenging ones they faced against Ireland.
9. How did the New York pitch affect South Africa and Sri Lanka’s game?
- The New York pitch produced a low-scoring game where South Africa and Sri Lanka struggled with the batting conditions, indicating its difficulty for batters.
10. What are the expected conditions for the India vs Pakistan match?
- The conditions are expected to be pace-friendly with challenging batting conditions, similar to those seen in previous matches at the New York venue.
11. How is India planning to adapt to the pitch conditions?
- India plans to adapt by focusing on balance in their team, being proactive, and making necessary changes based on the pitch and conditions.
12. What are Rohit Sharma’s thoughts on the upcoming match against Pakistan?
- Rohit Sharma emphasized the importance of every player contributing and the need to adapt quickly to the conditions they will face.
13. How did India manage their bowling attack against Ireland?
- India managed their bowling attack by including three seamers and two spin all-rounders, which provided a balanced approach to the pace-friendly conditions.
14. What did Jasprit Bumrah say about the pitch conditions in New York?
- Jasprit Bumrah enjoyed the conditions, noting the good bounce and pace, and highlighted the importance of being prepared to bowl in all conditions.
15. How has Jasprit Bumrah’s return to T20 World Cup been received?
- Jasprit Bumrah’s return to the T20 World Cup has been positive, with a strong performance against Ireland after missing the 2022 tournament due to a back injury.
16. What challenges did India face in their warm-up match against Bangladesh?
- In the warm-up match against Bangladesh, India faced a sluggish track, where the top order struggled but Rishabh Pant and Hardik Pandya’s efforts pushed India past 180 runs.
17. How are the seam-friendly conditions affecting India’s strategy?
- The seam-friendly conditions are leading India to prioritize seamers in their lineup and adapt their batting and bowling strategies accordingly.
18. What is the significance of the India vs Pakistan match in the T20 World Cup?
- The India vs Pakistan match is highly anticipated, with both teams needing to adapt to challenging conditions, making it a crucial and exciting fixture in the T20 World Cup.
19. How is the New York venue impacting the T20 World Cup matches?
- The New York venue is impacting matches by providing difficult batting conditions with uneven bounce and significant seam movement, challenging both batters and bowlers.
20. What does India need to focus on for the Pakistan match?
- India needs to focus on adaptability, balanced team selection, and quick adjustments to the pitch conditions to perform well against Pakistan.